Florida Prison Employees Arrested For Felony Battery On An Inmate

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) --The Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) announced five members of its staff were fired and arrested for charges of felony battery on an inmate.

Officers arrested William Finch, Sergeant James Perkins, Sergeant Robert Miller, Sergeant Christopher Christmas, and Sergeant Dalton Riley. A sixth staff member, Captain James Kirkland, was arrested and fired with additional charges of official misconduct.

According to an arrest report, one of the officers at the Northwest Florida Reception Center in Chipley directed a 'takedown' of 31-year-old prisoner Jeremiah Tatum during an escort. A video shows officers slammed Tatum face first into the concrete while he was in leg and hand restraints. Another officer allegedly jumped on Tatum's legs while he's on the ground during the August incident.

The DOC said Thursday the arrests came after an investigation by the Office of Inspector General.

Secretary Mike Crews released a statement saying, "These arrests and terminations send a very clear message: we have zero tolerance for criminal activity by our staff.  I expect everyone to do what is right and I have restated my commitment to hold those who do not to meet our expectations accountable for their wrongdoing.  Our staff should be held to the highest standards, and those who fail to do the right thing will no longer work for this agency."

Last week the DOC announced a strict zero-tolerance policy for employee misconduct.

The arrests come as the DOC has come under scrutiny recently after the death of a mentally ill inmate in Miami.

READ: DOC Launches Transparency Database Of Inmate Deaths  

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